2022 Montana Senate election
An election was held on November 8, 2022, to elect 25 members to Montana's Senate. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including the U.S. House of Representatives, and state house. The primary election was held on June 7, 2022. Republicans expanded their supermajority in chamber as they did in the house.[1]
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27 seats in the Montana Senate 26 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 Results: Republican gain Republican hold Democratic hold No election | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Montana |
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Retirements
Democrats
- District 12: Carlie Boland retired.
- District 24: Mary McNally retired due to term limits.
- District 33: Jennifer Pomnichowski retired due to term limits.
- District 42: Jill Cohenour retired due to term limits.
- District 49: Diane Sands retired due to term limits.
Republicans
- District 4: Mark Blasdel retired due to term limits.
- District 5: Bob Keenan retired due to term limits.
- District 13: Brian Hoven retired due to term limits.
- District 20: Duane Ankney retired due to term limits.
- District 22: Douglas Kary retired due to term limits.
- District 27: Cary Smith retired due to term limits.
- District 29: David Howard retired due to term limits.
- District 34: Gordon Vance retired due to term limits.
Incumbents defeated
Democrats
- District 50: Tom Steenberg lost renomination to Andrea Olsen.
Democrats
- District 11: Tom Jacobson defeated by Daniel Emrich.
Open seats that changed parties
Democrats
- District 12: Carlie Boland (D) was term-limited and couldn't seek re-election, seat won by Wendy McKamey (R)
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[2] | Safe R | May 19, 2022 |
Results summary
| Party | Candi- dates | Votes | Seats | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | +/– | % | |||
| Republican Party | 26 | 147,211 | 63.56 | 34 |  3 | 68 | |
| Democratic Party | 19 | 84,414 | 36.44 | 16 |  3 | 32 | |
| Total | 55 | 231,625 | 100 | 50 |  | 100 | |
Close races
Districts where the margin of victory was under 10%:
- District 13, 3.33%
- District 32, 4.6%
- District 11, 5.84% gain
- District 49, 8.85%
- District 39 (unexpired), 9.32% gain
Summary of results by State Senate District
| State Senate District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana 1 | Mike Cuffe | Rep | Mike Cuffe | Rep | ||
| Montana 4 | Mark Blasdel | Rep | John Fuller | Rep | ||
| Montana 5 | Bob Keenan | Rep | Mark Noland | Rep | ||
| Montana 8 | Susan Webber | Dem | Susan Webber | Dem | ||
| Montana 9 | Bruce Gillespie | Rep | Bruce Gillespie | Rep | ||
| Montana 11 | Tom Jacobson | Dem | Daniel Emrich | Rep | ||
| Montana 12 | Carlie Boland | Dem | Wendy McKamey | Rep | ||
| Montana 13 | Brian Hoven | Rep | Jeremy Trebas | Rep | ||
| Montana 14 | Russel Tempel | Rep | Russel Tempel | Rep | ||
| Montana 15 (Special) | Dan Bartel | Rep | Dan Bartel | Rep | ||
| Montana 19 | Kenneth Bogner | Rep | Kenneth Bogner | Rep | ||
| Montana 20 | Duane Ankney | Rep | Barry Usher | Rep | ||
| Montana 22 | Douglas Kary | Rep | Daniel Zolnikov | Rep | ||
| Montana 24 | Mary McNally | Dem | Kathy Kelker | Dem | ||
| Montana 27 | Cary Smith | Rep | Dennis Lenz | Rep | ||
| Montana 29 | David Howard | Rep | Forrest Mandeville | Rep | ||
| Montana 30 | John Esp | Rep | John Esp | Rep | ||
| Montana 32 | Pat Flowers | Dem | Pat Flowers | Dem | ||
| Montana 33 | Jennifer Pomnichowski | Dem | Denise Hayman | Dem | ||
| Montana 34 | Gordon Vance | Rep | Shelley Vance | Rep | ||
| Montana 41 | Janet Ellis | Dem | Janet Ellis | Dem | ||
| Montana 42 | Jill Cohenour | Dem | Mary Ann Dunwell | Dem | ||
| Montana 43 | Jason Ellsworth | Rep | Jason Ellsworth | Rep | ||
| Montana 48 | Shane Morigeau | Dem | Shane Morigeau | Dem | ||
| Montana 49 | Diane Sands | Dem | Willis Curdy | Dem | ||
| Montana 50 | Tom Steenberg | Dem | Andrea Olsen | Dem | ||
Detailed Results
District 1
Incumbent Republican Mike Cuffe has represented the 1st district since 2019.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mike Cuffe (incumbent) | 7,586 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 7,586 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 4
Incumbent Republican Senate President Mark Blasdel has represented the 4th district since 2015. Blasdel is term-limited and can't seek re-election. State Representative John Fuller and Lee Huestis are seeking the Republican nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Fuller | 5,180 | 62.19% | |
| Democratic | Kyle Waterman | 3,149 | 37.81% | |
| Total votes | 8,329 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 5
Incumbent Republican Bob Keenan has represented the 4th district since 2015. Keenan is term-limited and can't seek re-election. Mark Noland and Rob Tracy are seeking the Republican nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mark Noland | 7,995 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 7,995 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 8
Incumbent Democrat Susan Webber has represented the 8th district since 2019.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Susan Webber (incumbent) | 2,675 | 57.27% | |
| Republican | Rick Jennison | 1,996 | 42.73% | |
| Total votes | 4,671 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 9
Incumbent Republican Bruce Gillespie has represented the 9th district since 2019.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bruce Gillespie (incumbent) | 6,780 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 6,780 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 11
Incumbent Democrat Tom Jacobson has represented the 11th district since 2019.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Daniel Emrich | 3,683 | 52.92% | |
| Democratic | Tom Jacobson (incumbent) | 3,276 | 47.08% | |
| Total votes | 6,959 | 100% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
District 12
Incumbent Democrat Carlie Boland has represented the 12th district since 2017. Boland isn't seeking re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Wendy McKamey | 3,358 | 55.98% | |
| Democratic | Jacob Bachmeier | 2,641 | 44.02% | |
| Total votes | 5,999 | 100% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
District 13
Incumbent Republican Brian Hoven has represented the 13th district since 2015. Hoven is term-limited and can't seek re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jeremy Trebas | 2,681 | 51.67% | |
| Democratic | Casey Schreiner | 2,508 | 48.33% | |
| Total votes | 5,189 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 14
Incumbent Republican Russel Tempel has represented the 14th district since 2017. Steven Chivilicek is challenging Tempel for the Republican nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Russel Tempel (incumbent) | 5,624 | 71.60% | |
| Democratic | David H. Brewer | 2,231 | 28.40% | |
| Total votes | 7,855 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 15 (Special)
Incumbent Republican Dan Bartel has represented the 15th district since his appointment on November 8, 2021.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dan Bartel (incumbent) | 7,504 | 79.94% | |
| Democratic | Cindy Palmer | 1,883 | 20.06% | |
| Total votes | 9,387 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 19
Incumbent Republican Kenneth Bogner has represented the 19th district since 2019.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kenneth Bogner (incumbent) | 7,643 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 7,643 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 20
Incumbent Republican Duane Ankney has represented the 20th district since 2015. Ankney is term-limited and can't seek re-election. Geraldine Custer and Barry Usher are seeking the Republican nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Barry Usher | 7,739 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 7,739 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 22
Incumbent Republican Douglas Kary has represented the 22nd district since 2015. Kary is term-limited and can't seek re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Daniel Zolnikov | 4,853 | 65.74% | |
| Democratic | Terry Dennis | 2,529 | 34.26% | |
| Total votes | 7,382 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 24
Incumbent Democrat Mary McNally has represented the 24th district since 2015. McNally is term-limited and can't seek re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Kathy Kelker | 3,950 | 55.96% | |
| Republican | Elijah Tidswell | 3,109 | 44.04% | |
| Total votes | 7,059 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 27
Incumbent Republican Cary Smith has represented the 27th district since 2015. Smith is term-limited and can't seek re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Dennis Lenz | 9,670 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 9,670 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 29
Incumbent Republican David Howard has represented the 29th district since 2015. Howard is term-limited and can't seek re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Forrest Mandeville | 8,437 | 100% | |
| Total votes | 8,437 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 30
Incumbent Republican John Esp has represented the 30th district since 2019.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Esp (incumbent) | 6,041 | 55.32% | |
| Democratic | Jamie L. Isaly | 4,879 | 44.68% | |
| Total votes | 10,920 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 32
Incumbent Democrat Pat Flowers has represented the 32nd district since 2019.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Pat Flowers (incumbent) | 5,572 | 52.30% | |
| Republican | Randy Chamberlin | 5,082 | 47.70% | |
| Total votes | 10,654 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 33
Incumbent Democrat Jennifer Pomnichowski has represented the 33rd district since 2015. Pomnichowski is term-limited and can't seek re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Denise Hayman | 8,039 | 67.91% | |
| Republican | Adam Dewis | 3,799 | 32.09% | |
| Total votes | 11,838 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 34
Incumbent Republican Gordon Vance has represented the 34th district since 2015. Vance is term-limited and can't seek re-election. Shelley Vance and Bryan Donald Haysom are seeking the Republican nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Shelley Vance | 6,516 | 63.89% | |
| Democratic | Damion Lynn | 3,683 | 36.11% | |
| Total votes | 10,199 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 39 (Special)
Incumbent Democrat Mark Sweeney was a candidate in the Democratic primary for the Second Congressional District of Montana, but died May 6, 2022.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Terry Vermeire | 4,491 | 54.66% | |
| Democratic | Jesse James Mullen | 3,725 | 45.33% | |
| Total votes | 8,216 | 100% | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
District 41
Incumbent Democrat Janet Ellis has represented the 41st district since 2019.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Janet Ellis (incumbent) | 5,423 | 55.36% | |
| Republican | Dave Galt | 4,372 | 44.64% | |
| Total votes | 9,795 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 42
Incumbent Democrat Jill Cohenour has represented the 43rd district since 2015. Cohenour is term-limited and can't seek re-election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Mary Ann Dunwell | 5,071 | 55.28% | |
| Republican | Matt Olson | 4,103 | 44.72% | |
| Total votes | 9,174 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 43
Incumbent Republican Jason Ellsworth has represented the 43rd district since 2019. Joede Vanek is challenging Ellsworth in the Republican primary.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Jason Ellsworth (incumbent) | 7,868 | 67.63% | |
| Democratic | John F. Schneeberger | 3,766 | 32.37% | |
| Total votes | 11,634 | 100% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
District 48
Incumbent Democrat Shane Morigeau has represented the 48th district since 2020.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Shane Morigeau (incumbent) | 6,329 | 63.88% | |
| Republican | Jacob Van Horn | 3,579 | 36.12% | |
| Total votes | 9,908 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 49
Incumbent Democrat Diane Sands has represented the 49th district since 2015. Sands is term-limited and can't seek re-election. Brad Tschida and Nancy Burgoyne are seeking the Republican nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Willis Curdy | 5,630 | 54.43% | |
| Republican | Brad Tschida | 4,714 | 45.57% | |
| Total votes | 10,344 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
District 50
Incumbent Democrat Tom Steenberg has represented the 50th district and its predecessors since his appointment in September 2021. State Representative Andrea Olsen is challenging Steenberg for the Democratic nomination.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Andrea Olsen | 7,455 | 72.64% | |
| Republican | Nick Knowles | 2,808 | 27.36% | |
| Total votes | 10,263 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
References
- "Montana State Senate elections, 2022". Ballotpedia. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- Jacobson, Louis (May 19, 2022). "The Battle for State Legislatures". Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- "2022 Candidate Filing List: Legislative". Christi Jacobsen, Montana Secretary of State. February 22, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2022.